Associate Professor in International Strategic Management, and Director of One Planet MBA

Nicolas joined the Business School as Director, One Planet MBA programmes in 2013 and Associate Professor in International Strategic Management. He is leading the development of the One Planet MBA, an innovative MBA at the forefront of thinking, emphasising financial, social and environmental sustainability aimed at preparing managers for the demands of global business in the 21st century in a resource-constrained world. The One Planet MBA is AMBA accredited, and ranked by the Aspen Institute USA's "Beyond Grey Pinstripes" 2nd in the UK, 9th in Europe and 47th in the world (2012). Prior to joining the Business School, Nicolas created and led the development of the MSc International Business at Leeds University Business School, securing programme accreditations and an enviable position in the Financial Times league tables (2012, 2013).

Nicolas is joining the business school as a professor in International Strategic Management, with expertise in the fields of international business and corporate strategy, and in the disruption of business models by emerging technologies (digital in particular). His research publications have focused on multinational firm strategies, the rising importance of emerging economies in global business and the foreign direct investment activities (mostly through mergers and acquisitions) of emerging country multinational firms in the western world.

Nicolas also has a keen interest in the integration of learning technologies into programme delivery, and experience implementing innovative approaches to teaching, learning and assessment strategies that leverage the capabilities of mobile devices.

External Positions

Research clusters

Research interests

Foreign market servicing strategies

Emerging countries, markets and multinational firms

Foreign direct investment

Mergers and acquisitions

Business models

Emerging / mobile / digital technologies

In recent years my research interests have revolved around the growing importance of emerging country multinational firms, and in particular the determinants of FDI and mergers and acquisitions undertaken by India-based multinational firms and conglomerates. Prior to that, I worked on the impact of trade blocs on the foreign market servicing strategies of firms based within and outside these trading blocs (such as NAFTA in America and the European Union).

Jeanrenaud SJ, Adarves-Yorno, I, Forsans, N (2015). Exploring a One Planet Mindset and its Relevance in a Transition to a Sustainable Economy. Building Sustainable Legacies(5. Reframing the Game: the Transition to a. New Sustainable Economy).

Abstract:Exploring a One Planet Mindset and its Relevance in a Transition to a Sustainable Economy

Exeter’s One Planet MBA (OP MBA), co-founded and delivered with WWF International, is helping develop a new generation of business leaders, integrating sustainability thinking across its business education curriculum, and fostering a “One Planet Mindset”. But what is a One Planet Mindset? and what is its significance in a transition to a sustainable economy? This paper draws on the sustainability and management literature, and explorations with students to offer some preliminary reflections on these questions. It makes the case that a One Planet Mindset aggregates knowledge, values and skills which help deliver positive outcomes for people, planet and prosperity. It engages a new metaphor of nature as a living planet – one that recognizes that the health of the economy is rooted in, and not independent of, living planetary systems. Such a mindset provides a powerful lever for transforming, self, business and society in the contested transition to a sustainable economy.

Buckley PJ, Forsans N, Munjal S (2012). Host-home country linkages and host-home country specific advantages as determinants of foreign acquisitions by Indian firms. International Business Review, 21(5), 878-890.

Abstract:Host-home country linkages and host-home country specific advantages as determinants of foreign acquisitions by Indian firms

Chapters

Forsans N (2013). Country linkages and firm internationalization: Indian MNEs within economic-political alliances of nations. In Cook G, John J (Eds.) The Changing Geography of International Business, Palgrave-MacMillan.

Jeanrenaud SJ, Adarves-Yorno, I, Forsans, N (2015). Exploring a One Planet Mindset and its Relevance in a Transition to a Sustainable Economy. Building Sustainable Legacies(5. Reframing the Game: the Transition to a. New Sustainable Economy).

Abstract:Exploring a One Planet Mindset and its Relevance in a Transition to a Sustainable Economy

Exeter’s One Planet MBA (OP MBA), co-founded and delivered with WWF International, is helping develop a new generation of business leaders, integrating sustainability thinking across its business education curriculum, and fostering a “One Planet Mindset”. But what is a One Planet Mindset? and what is its significance in a transition to a sustainable economy? This paper draws on the sustainability and management literature, and explorations with students to offer some preliminary reflections on these questions. It makes the case that a One Planet Mindset aggregates knowledge, values and skills which help deliver positive outcomes for people, planet and prosperity. It engages a new metaphor of nature as a living planet – one that recognizes that the health of the economy is rooted in, and not independent of, living planetary systems. Such a mindset provides a powerful lever for transforming, self, business and society in the contested transition to a sustainable economy.

2014

2013

Forsans N (2013). Country linkages and firm internationalization: Indian MNEs within economic-political alliances of nations. In Cook G, John J (Eds.) The Changing Geography of International Business, Palgrave-MacMillan.

2012

Buckley PJ, Forsans N, Munjal S (2012). Host-home country linkages and host-home country specific advantages as determinants of foreign acquisitions by Indian firms. International Business Review, 21(5), 878-890.

Abstract:Host-home country linkages and host-home country specific advantages as determinants of foreign acquisitions by Indian firms

1998

My teaching interests revolve around the theory and the practice of international business, foreign market entry strategy, mergers and acquisitions vs. organic growth, as well as strategy thinking and implementation throughout the organisation.